Two dozen bicyclists join Bi-Pacs first monthly ride

By Anne Lautzenheiser
St. Tammany News
Published on Friday, April 25, 2008 9:09 AM CDT

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Close to two dozen bicycling enthusiasts turned up at Slidell’s Fritchie Park Sunday for the first monthly ride of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance.

The group rode from Fritchie Park to Heritage Park, a distance of about five miles. Bi-Pac Executive Director Sue deRada said each month’s ride will cover about the same distance. The rides meant to help both cyclists and drivers feel more secure about sharing the road.

“We want motorists to know what to do when cyclists are on the road with them,” she said.

Bi-Pac Director Sue deRada, in vest, addresses bicyclists at Fritchie Park before commencing the ride to Heritage Park. (Staff Photo by Anne Lautzenheiser)

John and Ellen Brown led Sunday’s ride through St. Tammany Parish District 12, where they live. Each month’s ride will take place in a different district, to build awareness in those areas of the group’s mission, to establish more bicycle and pedestrian paths to the Slidell area.

The group hopes eventually to connect those paths to the Tammany Trace via the trailhead to be constructed at Heritage Park.

Bicycles should be registered, but it is not mandatory to do so in order to participate in the monthly rides. According to deRada, residents can register their bikes at any time with the Slidell Police Department.

“There’s no need to go at certain times,” said deRada. “The police have told me they are open 24/7 and can accommodate you any time you come in.”

A registered bike is much easier to recover in the event of a theft. Registration stickers are currently not available but will be offered in the near future by the police department.

For more information on Bi-Pac and next month’s ride, go to www.bi-pac.org.

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